18-year-old killed in Edmonton car crash remembered as a ‘future star’

Travis Hurlbert is being remembered by his family as a young charismatic man with a bright future.

The 18-year-old was killed when his Volkswagen Passat was struck by a Dodge Avenger travelling south on Manning Drive Wednesday night.

In a statement released by his family, Hurlbert is described as the perfect combination of handsome looks and outgoing personality. Originally from B.C., he was working at TNT Hydro Blasting in Edmonton, and quickly climbed the ranks to become a supervisor at a couple of work sites after only 6 months with the company.

However, his job in Edmonton was only a stepping stone to larger things, his family says.

“Travis was working out every day in an effort to be fit and ready to follow his dream of being famous,” the letter reads. “An excited phone call to his parents a month ago revealed that he had achieved the first step to stardom.”

While phoning his parents back home, Hurlbert explained he was going return to B.C. to answer a casting call for a movie being filmed in Vancouver.

“We are confident to tell the world that they have lost a future superstar,” the family said.

At the moment of the collision, Hurlbert was driving a car he had recently purchased. He paid cash for the vehicle, and was planning to surprise his mother by driving down to Enderby, B.C. next week to see her.

Moments after the crash, several witnesses saw the man who collided with Hurlbert flee the scene of the crash. Witnesses chased the man down, tackled him, and held him until police arrived.

The family’s statement can be read in its entirety below:

 Travis leaves behind two families:

 In Castlegar B.C. are his dad and stepmother, Trevor & Brie Hurlbert, brother Cache (8), sister Nevida (2), and grandparents Wayne & Marianne Hurlbert. 

 In Enderby B.C. are his mother and stepfather Michelle & Ric Mervyn, sister Abigayle (8), brother R.J. (2), and grandmother Debbie Dalke.

 There are no words that can begin to express the magnitude of our feelings, but here are a few: Heart broken, angry, sad, numb, devastated, lost, empty, enraged, nauseous, agony, panic and disbelief.

 There is no tragedy possible that could bring pain like the last hours have.

 Travis was the perfect combination of handsome Justin Bieber looks with outgoing Jim Carrey personality. He was a smart, funny, kind, and articulate soul.

 In January this year, Travis contacted a long time family friend, Grant Latta and obtained employment with TNT Hydro Blasting in Edmonton. In a short time Grant was calling back home singing praises of what a hard worker Travis was. Within 6 months he had earned a supervisor position on a couple of work sites.

 The car he was in he was very proud of and had just paid cash for. He had just very proudly showed his dad the car in Edmonton. His plan was to surprise his mom in Enderby with it the following week.

 The last family to see him were his dad and step mom in Castlegar Sat. July 20/2013. He drove his old Cavalier down from Edmonton to Castlegar to sell it to a friend.

 Travis was a very vocal advocate against drinking and driving. He always did his best to make sure his friends didn’t drive drunk. He was the “responsible”one.

 Travis was working out every day in an effort to be fit and ready to follow his dream of being famous. An excited phone call to his parents a month ago revealed that he had achieved the first step to stardom. The biggest reason for his new car was to have dependable and presentable transportation to Vancouver in August for his first casting call to try for a role in a movie. 

 We are confident to tell the world that they have lost a future super star. Travis told both of his families that one day they would all be able to quit their jobs because he was going to take care of them.  His unstoppable charisma and confidence touched everyone that had the honor of being in his presence.

 For Travis’ (2) eight year old siblings that adored and idolized him, this will be their first funeral. For his (2) two year old siblings, this will surely be one of their first memories but sadly they will never have the opportunity to know their brother.

 The family would like to thank the several people that tried everything in their power to save Travis, and also those that restrained Derrick O’Conner at the scene. We hope to thank them personally in the future. We have seen the various memorial’s put at the scene through the internet and they have all touched and moved us deeply.

 Please direct any public support toward causes focused on eradicating drinking and driving. We have created a facebook page named Travis Hurlbert Memorial for anyone who wants to post thoughts, pictures, and memories. The funeral service information will be posted on this page as soon as it is confirmed.

Thank you